Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'phonograph'

English Word: phonograph

Key Russian Translations:

• патефон [pəˈtɛfən] - [Formal, Historical]
• граммофон [ɡrɐˈmofən] - [Formal, Synonymous in some contexts]

Frequency: Low (This term is rarely used in modern Russian due to the obsolescence of phonographs; it's more common in historical or literary contexts.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic Russian nouns and historical vocabulary. For 'патефон', it's straightforward; for 'граммофон', slight variations in usage may add complexity.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

патефон: [pəˈtɛfən]

Note on патефон: The stress is on the second syllable. Pronounce the 'э' as a mid-open front vowel, similar to 'e' in 'bed'. Be cautious of the soft 'т' sound, which can vary regionally.

граммофон: [ɡrɐˈmofən]

Note on граммофон: Stress on the third syllable. The 'г' is a voiced velar fricative, like in 'go', and the word has a more flowing rhythm due to its Germanic origin.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: An early device for playing recorded sound, like a record player.

Translation(s) & Context:

• патефон - Used in formal or nostalgic contexts, especially when referring to antique devices in Russian literature or museums.
• граммофон - Often interchangeable, but preferred in discussions of early 20th-century technology or in educational settings.

Usage Examples:

• В гостиной стоял старый патефон, на который мы ставили пластинки с классической музыкой.

  In the living room stood an old phonograph on which we played records of classical music.

• Мой дедушка коллекционирует граммофоны и часто рассказывает истории о них.

  My grandfather collects phonographs and often tells stories about them.

• В музее есть экспозиция, где демонстрируется, как работает патефон в сравнении с современными устройствами.

  In the museum, there's an exhibit showing how a phonograph works compared to modern devices.

• Дети с интересом слушали музыку на граммофоне, удивляясь его механизму.

  The children listened to music on the phonograph with interest, marveling at its mechanism.

• Патефон был изобретением, которое революционизировало домашнее развлечение в России начала XX века.

  The phonograph was an invention that revolutionized home entertainment in early 20th-century Russia.

Secondary Meaning: Figurative use, referring to outdated or nostalgic technology in general.

Translation(s) & Context:

• патефон - In metaphorical contexts, to describe something old-fashioned, e.g., in informal speech or writing.

Usage Examples:

• Его идеи звучат как патефон в эпоху цифровой музыки.

  His ideas sound like a phonograph in the era of digital music.

• Почему мы всё ещё используем этот граммофон, когда есть смартфоны?

  Why are we still using this phonograph when we have smartphones?

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'патефон' and 'граммофон' are masculine nouns in Russian, following the standard patterns for inanimate objects. They decline according to cases and numbers. Below is a table for 'патефон' as an example; 'граммофон' follows similar rules.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular inflections, making them relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • граммофон (nearly identical, often used interchangeably; preferred in technical discussions)
  • проигрыватель (more general term for any record player, but less specific to historical models)
• Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as this is a specific device. However, in a broader sense, modern equivalents like плеер (player) could be contrasted.

Related Phrases:

• Слушать патефон - To listen to a phonograph (used in nostalgic or historical contexts, referring to enjoying old records).
• Ремонтировать граммофон - To repair a phonograph (common in discussions of vintage item maintenance).
• Патефон с пластинками - Phonograph with records (a phrase for describing a complete setup in antique collections).

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'патефон' directly corresponds to the historical English 'phonograph', emphasizing its antique nature, while 'граммофон' is a close synonym derived from the same roots. Use 'патефон' in formal or literary settings for authenticity, and 'граммофон' when discussing technological evolution. Be mindful of gender agreement: as masculine nouns, adjectives and verbs must agree (e.g., 'старый патефон' for 'old phonograph'). In modern speech, these words are often replaced by 'проигрыватель' to avoid confusion with contemporary devices.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'патефон' with 'патефончик' (a diminutive form meaning a small or toy phonograph), which English learners might overuse. Correct: Use 'патефон' for standard reference; e.g., Incorrect: "Я имею патефончик" (implying it's cute), Correct: "Я имею патефон" for a serious context.
• Misapplying case endings, such as saying "на патефоне" instead of "на патефоне" (wait, that's correct—common error is forgetting the prepositional case: Incorrect: "слушать патефон" in contexts requiring genitive, e.g., "музыка с патефона", Correct: "музыка с патефона").
• Overgeneralizing to modern tech: Learners might say 'патефон' for a smartphone, which is wrong; explain that it's strictly historical.

Cultural Notes:

The phonograph, known as 'патефон' in Russia, symbolizes the early 20th-century cultural shift towards mass entertainment. It was popularized during the Soviet era as a means of disseminating music and propaganda, evoking nostalgia in modern Russian culture through films and literature, such as in works by authors like Bulgakov.

Related Concepts:

• пластинка (record)
• проигрыватель (player)
• музыкальный инструмент (musical instrument)